# NTSB FTW89DRD10: Grumman G-164-B, N8341K, Mer Rouge, LA, June 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1989, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC)
- Place: Mer Rouge, LA
- Coordinates: 32.770904, -91.789306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7709&lon=-91.7893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRD10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRD10

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE INDIVIDUAL STRUCK BY THE TAXIING AIRPLANE'S PROPELLER TO VISUALLY PERCEIVE AND AVOID THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, taxi - from landing
  - object - other person
  - visual lookout - not maintained, other person (cause)

## Analysis

THE AG AIRPLANE WAS TAXIING BETWEEN PARKED AIRPLANES AND A HANGAR, AFTER A FLIGHT, WHEN A FARMER WALKED INTO THE THE PROPELLER. THE FARMER OFTEN CAME TO THE AIRSTRIP TO SELL HIS PRODUCE TO THE AIRSTRIP WORKERS. WITNESSES SAID THE FARMER WAS WALKING ACROSS THE RAMP TOWARD HIS PICKUP, AND WHEN THEY SAW THE APPROACHING AIRPLANE, THEY YELLED A WARNING TO HIM. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS UNAWARE THERE WAS ANYONE IN FRONT OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8341K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8341K), registered now, S/N 35C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164-B
- Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35C
- Airframe hours: 5800
- Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: William C. Norsworthy, doing business as Bonne Idee Aero Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bonne Idee Aero Services, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1989, 300 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Bonne Idee, runway 18, 2,600 × 28 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 11,300 total, 6,600 in this make and model, 11,180 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 23 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890630018709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890630018709A), Jun 30, 1989: Scwzer G164B, Mer Rouge, LA, 1 fatal. Propeller struck a person that was walking across the runway as pilot was taxiing to ramp. Did not notice victim.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
